We built a compost bin at my house and it is finally in good use! Last year we bought a round compost bin that is turnable with a handle, but it was difficult to use. Spinning it did not mix it to well, and because it was above the ground no worms could find it to help the process of composting. We also ran into trouble when we added almost all food (or wet material) and harldy any dry material such as dead weeds, brush, wood shavings or unbleached paper. This year we began by creating a wooden bin, with two sections, and without a bottom. It is working great as a start. We can turn and mix the compost material manually which is a benefit. Also, when cleaning up the yard for spring we have begun to create the correct ratio of wet to dry materials (2/3 dry and 1/3 wet).

Composting is a great way to significantly lower the amount of waste our household sends to a landfill. All unbleached paper products, wood shavings, vegan and not-to-proccessed foods can avoid a trash bag and hit our compost bin. I find it a great way to remind myself of the kinds of food I am eating. If my food scraps are healthy for the compost mixture, they are healthy for my body. The proccess of letting our waste help our food in the garden grow is a step back to being a part of nature, rather than it’s enemy.

This growing season my yard is going to have an herb garden, vegetable garden, my mother’s very asthetically appealing flower and bush gardens, as well as a soon to be new and improved “herbal shed”. This is the first year that I will be working on my own gardens. Last year I had some experience working on the gardens at Misty Meadows Herbal Center, but it was clear to me and others there that I was very innexperienced. Working on my own garden there is a lot more room for mistakes or learning experiences.

I am very excited about the whole proccess of growing, harvesting, and making things out of my herbs! I just recently cleaned out my soon to be “herbal shed” of miscellanious things collected at my house. This shed will hold tools for shaping and caring for the gardens, be a place to hang dry harvested herbs, and even to prepare and store herbal remedies.

The next step is cleaning out all of the garden beds!

My first sprouts have come up. Yesterday a few calendula began and a couple unkown plants! (*Reminder* Always label plants!*) Today there is thyme and even more unknown! The suprise should be fun. Ill be moving the trays closer to the glass doors in this room as the sprouts are litterally reaching for the sun.